A Letter from Fr. Paul - December 23, 2018

We are only two days from Christmas as we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent. In the letter to the Hebrews, we are told that, rather than sacrifices and holocausts, God wants us to do his will. Our Gospel presents Mary as one who does the will of God. Just before the passage we read this weekend, she utters her famous “be it done unto me according to Your will.” She did not understand, she did not know what would happen, but she trusted and said “yes”!

Immediately after agreeing to do God’s will, Mary “hastens” to the side of her older cousin, Elizabeth, to be of assistance to her. She was not concerned about herself and what would happen to her, but rather she was concerned about another and went to be of service. In this she also demonstrated her ability to do God’s will, that is, live not just for self but for others. And by her willingness to let go, to trust God, and to serve others, Mary brought Christ the Savior to the world.

My friends, that is what our discipleship is all about: trusting in God, saying “yes” to His will (whatever it may be), and serving others. The more we can incorporate these into our lives, the more we will bring Christ to the world, as Mary did.

I invite us to be particularly reflective these last two days before we celebrate the birth of Christ,
resolving to be more open to God’s will, shown through service to others. Come, Lord Jesus, into our hearts and our world!

I wish those of you who will not be able to be with us for one of our services a very blessed Christmas. May the Child Jesus help you grow in faith, hope, and love. Feliz Navidad!

-- Paul James Portland, SDS